Chapter 67 (Vigilantes)

Makoto Tsukauchi guests on an American talk show. Studying at Marvelous Central University made her a public figure there, and she now runs C.C. Corporation as general manager while her thesis on vigilantism drives debate. Criticism comes with that, and she handles it easily.

At the Marukane Department Store, Kazuho Haneyama, Miu, Yu and the Sisters of Saint Lila's Academy watch on a laptop and marvel at how big Makoto has gotten before the meeting starts. Kazuho lays out the problem: Narufest keeps shrinking. The last event barely drew anyone, Marukane has cut the budget and wants the monthly schedule reduced, so they need ideas that pull people back. Suggestions come, but nobody is left to execute them. Most original FeatherHATS have jobs or studies now, and those present are stretched thin.

Miu treats it lightly, saying her real interest is landing a boyfriend before high school ends, and asks how things stand with Koichi Haimawari. Flustered, Kazuho deflects. Miu warns her to act, since standing still risks watching him move on. Yu tries to rein her sister in, but concedes plenty has changed and tells Kazuho the relationship deserves thought.

Their manager then arrives with the blow: Marukane's executive has ruled next month's Narufest the last. He apologizes for failing to change their minds, though Miu calls it predictable, since he only took the role recently and the person who actually held the team together was Makoto. The meeting breaks up.

Kazuho walks home low about the group's end. Miu's warning nags, and she buys ingredients for curry, telling herself it means nothing beyond kindness. She arrives to find Makoto already cooking curry for everyone. The meal proves too hot for Koichi. Makoto explains this trip is brief, groundwork for her real return. Kazuho is surprised, since the televised Makoto gave no hint of coming back, but Makoto says that was performance meant to move books. With Captain Celebrity's career stable, she will find a capable replacement for her management duties and then pursue what she actually wants.

Asked how Narufest is doing, Kazuho hesitates and Koichi answers first that it is rolling along fine. She plays along, then excuses herself as busy and leaves with her ingredients. Barely outside, she regrets the lie, knowing the festival is failing and Makoto's help is exactly what they need. Turning back, she sees the two embracing through the window, and the sight leaves her badly shaken.

Makoto Tsukauchi's American profile is established: general manager of C.C. Corporation, talk show celebrity, author of a widely debated vigilantism thesis. She privately reveals her televised reluctance to return was a sales tactic and that she intends to come home permanently in the fall.

Marukane's executive cancels Narufest after one final event, and the FeatherHATS lack the staff to reverse the decline. Miu pushes Kazuho to address her feelings for Koichi before someone else does.

Kazuho hides the festival's trouble from Makoto, regrets it immediately, then sees Makoto and Koichi embracing through the penthouse window.

Eighteen pages by Hideyuki Furuhashi and Betten Court, published December 14, 2019 in the Final Performance arc and collected in volume 9. Kazuho Haneyama appears on the cover.

The magazine version carried the title Dinner, written 晩ごはん, before the volume release replaced it with the longer name.